Congratulations to the U12A netball team, who were triumphant at the IAPS National Netball Finals in Basildon last Friday, becoming the new National Champions.

The girls had a superb day playing six matches at the group stage. They won four of these matches, against Hurstpierpoint, Bromsgrove Prep, Dumpton and Millfield, drew one against Brighton College, and lost one against Heath Mount. It was a long wait before confirmation that the girls had qualified 2nd in the group, at which point they met Felsted in a nail-biting semi-final, winning 7-5, before reaching the final - another match against Heath Mount, the only team that had beaten them earlier in the day.

The final was as tense as a final could be: after full time the score was 4-4; after extra time it was 5-5; and it was the golden goal decider that gave Farleigh the win; in that moment the girls’ hard work and perseverance throughout the entire season paid off.

The girls’ mantra for the day was “defend hard and fast, attack slow and steady” and they followed this through all their games. They attacked incredibly well, their ball control and passing were excellent, and their defending was exceptional.

The excitement of being awarded their gold medals and lifting the winners’ shield was a moment that they, and their coach Miss Hopkins, will not forget in a hurry!   

Congratulations also to the U11As who had an exceptional tournament, finishing in the top 20 out of 243 schools. Forty teams qualified for the U11 National Finals, Farleigh qualifying 3rd regionally, which was an enormous achievement in itself.

The team played some really excellent netball, winning three of their group matches. The girls battled hard making their opponents work hard for every goal. The girls more than held their own on the national stage, only losing to the U11 National Champions 5-2!